TV antennas - what do you use?

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 23, 2007 at 19:45

ThreadID: 47006 Views:2760 Replies:5 FollowUps:4

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live4theweekends

Hi all,
I have just been searching through the archives but didnt really find the info I wanted (OK , so I didnt read all 2500 threads but I did look for an hour!)
Just wondering what type of antennas most of you use and how they perform?

We actually have a basic UHF antenna (the triangular shaped one like fish bones). Had it for 18months and havent used it yet but we are about to head off for three and a half months and decided to dust it off and check it out.
The major problem we have with this type is storing and carting it. Its widest point is probably about 90cm and its probably 80-90cm long. We cant mount it permanently and the only place it will fit in the van is under the bed but thats a pain to take it out to get at eveything else under there several times a day and the front boot is chokkas already.
We are deciding whether we need another type of antenna or does someone have some ingenious idea for mounting an antenna somewhere? I know there are some fancy fandangled things out there (but have heard some people just use rabbit ears?) We are on a budget so any "not so costly" recommendations would be greatly appreciated. This is our first major trip so its all a learning curve!
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
Live4theweekends

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Reply By: Aandy(WA) - Saturday, Jun 23, 2007 at 21:25

Saturday, Jun 23, 2007 at 21:25

The best antennas are the aluminium rod type as on houses with VHF and UHF. One of those that folds is easy to pack. Don't bother with the "fancy" ones - they are all compromises and don't do the job well.
Two questions for you:
1. Is watching TV really important? Personally I quite like to get away from it.
2. Do you really need to get at the stuff under the bed several times a day? I put stuff that we only need occasionally under there.
Enjoy your trip and your learning curve!!

AnswerID: 248685

Follow Up By: live4theweekends - Sunday, Jun 24, 2007 at 10:10

Sunday, Jun 24, 2007 at 10:10

Thanks for your reply. I didnt realise that you could get this type that folded up. Will investigate further.
As you say TV isnt that important and we dont usually take one at all when we go camping but travelling for 3 and a half months with 2 children there will be probably one or 2 days a fortnight when we just need to spend the day relaxing around camp and an hour or so of telly will keep them happy. Personally, I could probably do without it but I think its a bit unrealistic to expect the kids to have no tv whatsoever for that long and I dont see any harm in it for a couple of hours a fortnight.
Your other question was about putting things under the bed. It is an island bed on gas struts so it is the most easily accessible place in the van but the antenna would have to go on top so as not to get damaged and would have to be moved to get to anything else.
Thanks for your input.

FollowupID: 509606

Reply By: obee - Saturday, Jun 23, 2007 at 21:54

Saturday, Jun 23, 2007 at 21:54

If it is ninety wide then I would say it is a hybrid vhf and uhf. The uhf frequency that sbs and digital uses is the one with the short rods. I got one that was thrown out and i cut the vhf rods (bones) off for use when next we travel. You can buy a uhf only. I used to own one years ago before I gave it away and got by with a masthead amplifier.

I have a cheap digital tv thingy for the laptop but the antenna is tiny, just six inches high. Works ok if you can see the transmitter but often we cannot. Main rule is get the antenna high as you can and remember it is directional so you have to swing it around till you get a good signal. The park owners may know where to look for the transmitter direction or simply look around and see where everyone elses antennas are pointing.

Must be able to tie the thing on the back somewherewhile on the road?

Owen

AnswerID: 248688

Follow Up By: live4theweekends - Sunday, Jun 24, 2007 at 14:07

Sunday, Jun 24, 2007 at 14:07

Thanks. Have been and checked out the back of the van and have decided we can make a couple of bracket that will fasten it underneath at the back.
Thanks again!

FollowupID: 509635

Reply By: Graham & Ann - Sunday, Jun 24, 2007 at 19:05

Sunday, Jun 24, 2007 at 19:05

What you describe sounds the same as the one we use, it will fit in our front boot, standing/hanging on its side, we have a couple of brackets on the rear wall of the boot and just feed the bottom of the large end in first and then hang it on the brackets. But often we just put it in the rear of the 4x4 on top of the luggage/tools. They are one of the best around for bands 3,4,5 ie UHF channels 5a upwards, it has something like a 19db front to back gain, so very rarely is a booster needed, often a booster will cause drop in performance, I wouldn't bother purchasing a booster if you haven't already got one..... the VHF channels on band I & 2 work ok in good reception areas, but to make it work for them in fringe areas get a set of rabbit ears take the metal extendable ears off and wire/tape one to each side of the rear/longest 'fish bone' element. If you put an elbow on the top of the pole that you mount it on then it's easy to mount it for either verticle or horozontal signals or on a 45deg angle for when your in an area that uses both. You may find some of the photos here of interest
Site Link

AnswerID: 248796

Follow Up By: live4theweekends - Monday, Jun 25, 2007 at 16:06

Monday, Jun 25, 2007 at 16:06

Thanks for the info. The pictures were a great help too. We dont have a booster and wondered about that so I you have just saved us a few dollars there!
Thanks again.

FollowupID: 509905